Animals
Sweet Burro Babe
This sweet little burro, with its long ears and docile demeanor, was relaxing in a partially shaded part of Custer State Park in South Dakota. It’s mother and others from the clan were close by – just outside the photo’s frame.
The burros at Custer State Park are a favorite attraction. They are generally friendly and happy to be petted and fed carrots and apples by park visitors. Last summer they had a number of burro births. This is one from the 2025 crop.
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Both Bright-Eyed and Bushy-Tailed
On a recent trip to Branson, Missouri we spent some time at Table Rock Lake State Park. Walking the path along the lake shore, this local resident offered a friendly greeting.
You can get a larger, more detailed view of this critter by clicking on the photo.
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Fishnado
This school of fish were swimming in a mesmerizing, circular formation in a large, cylindrical tank at the Wonders Of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium in Springfield, Missouri.
The “Fishnado” title is playing off the fish cluster’s shape and circular movement similar to a tornado. This tank was probably 20 feet tall; spanning two floors of the aquarium. There was no noticeable pause in their motion which made it a dramatic and mesmerizing sight.
The light through much of the exhibits was kept pretty low; I assume to simulate the conditions of being deep under water. It was difficult for my aging eyes and presented all kinds of challenges for the camera. If you look closely, you will notice the fish are not very sharp or detailed even though I did my best to digitally enhance this image.
You can get a better look by clicking on the image. When you do a full-screen version will open in a new browser tab.
All of the photos I post are available for purchase. If you’d like to buy one, click on the blue “Buy this Online” bar below for a variety of print and frame options or contact me ([email protected]) for digital purchase and licensing options.
Relaxed Demeanor
A friendly burro was happy to greet visitors to Custer State Park in South Dakota. This is one of a dozen or more – in a variety of colors and sizes – that strolled by to say, “Hi!”
When we visit Custer State Park, we have to spend time with the burrows. They roam free through the park and are quite docile and happy to help you dispose of any excess apples and carrots.
You can see a larger, full-screen version of this image by clicking on the photo.
All of the photos I post are available for purchase. If you’d like to buy one, click on the blue “Buy this Online” bar below for a variety of print and frame options or contact me ([email protected]) for digital purchase and licensing options.
Powerful Presence
A solitary bison bull stands majestically in a sunlit meadow at Custer State Park in South Dakota. He is one of the sizable heard of bison that reside in the park.
Although he looks alone, there are many other bison nearby. I just happened to zoom in on this one by himself.
You can get a more detailed look at this big guy by clicking on the photo.
All of the photos I post are available for purchase. If you’d like to buy one, click on the blue “Buy this Online” bar below for a variety of print and frame options or contact me ([email protected]) for digital purchase and licensing options.
Sunrise Stare
This regal horse paused from his early morning graze to stare at the rising sun.
It was about 6:30 on a Monday morning. We were packing up to leave the lodge we stayed at the previous weekend in the Black Hills of South Dakota. I noticed some horses in a nearby pasture so I grabbed my camera and decided to try and capture a few images in the early morning light before we hit the road. This is one of the images from that brief morning attempt. I don’t know the horse’s name. (He didn’t say.)
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All of the photos I post are available for purchase. If you’d like to buy one, click on the blue “Buy this Online” bar below for a variety of print and frame options or contact me ([email protected]) for digital purchase and licensing options.
Snake Among the Reeds
We found this common water snake resting along the bank of Three Mile Creek walking trail. This unique, paved trail runs through the downtown area of Leavenworth, Kansas.
The day before, the creek must have been swollen with rainwater. The vegetation along the edge of the creek was bent flat in the direction of the water’s flow; on it’s way to the Missouri River.
This photo was taken from a bridge above the creek at the west end of the trail. The snake was some 30 feet below us and I snapped this shot through a chain-linked fence. I had to crop it quite a bit to provide a good view of the snake.
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All of the photos I post are available for purchase. If you’d like to buy one, click on the blue “Buy this Online” bar below for a variety of print and frame options or contact me ([email protected]) for digital purchase and licensing options.
Rascal Duo
Two very young raccoons seem to be taking break on a green lawn during a sunny afternoon.
I was able to get a good batch of photos of these little rascals when they showed up – with no mother – on the front lawn or our rural Wisconsin home. Just search for “raccoon” with the search bar in the upper left is you’d like to see more of them.
If you’d like to see a larger, more detailed version of this photo, click on it and a full-screen view will be opened in a new browser tab.
All of the photos I post are available for purchase. If you’d like to buy one, click on the blue “Buy this Online” bar below for a variety of print and frame options or contact me ([email protected]) for digital purchase and licensing options.
Eight Point Guard
This whitetail buck was standing guard as his mate grazed in the lush grasses of a clearing at Custer State Park in South Dakota.
You don’t have to look very closely to see the flies on this guy. There were many more that were swarming around these deer. In fact, the little dots of light, like bokeh, in this image are out of focus flies.
I happened along this pair while they were busy enjoying an early evening meal. As soon as I approached, the buck turned and faced me for the moment you see here and then, with a snort, turned and both ran off.
You can get a larger view of the deer and count the flies by clicking on the photo.
All of the photos I post are available for purchase. If you’d like to buy one, click on the blue “Buy this Online” bar below for a variety of print and frame options or contact me ([email protected]) for digital purchase and licensing options.
Unsightly
This is a softshell turtle I found deep in my unprocessed archives. This turtle (and its sidekick) were among the less appealing creatures I photographed on a visit to the Bass Pro Shop in Springfield, Missouri about 10 years ago.
These turtles are odd enough to make them interesting. They are also hideous enough to have been hidden in the archives for so long. Of course, you may feel differently. After all, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
If you care to see this strange being in more detail, click on the image to view a larger version of this image.
All of the photos I post are available for purchase. If you’d like to buy one, click on the blue “Buy this Online” bar below for a variety of print and frame options or contact me ([email protected]) for digital purchase and licensing options.